Police: Motorist was looking down at phone when he hit bicyclist

STURBRIDGE — A teenage motorist will be charged with distracted driving after he struck a bicyclist on Route 15 while using his cell phone Monday morning, according to police.

The bicyclist, a 66-year-old woman from Sturbridge, was flown to UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus in Worcester, where she is being treated for head, neck and back injuries, police said.

The 17-year-old driver told authorities that he was looking down at his phone when the crash occurred, according to Lt. Earl Dessert. He was apparently trying to unlock the device, Lt. Dessert said.

"He was approximately 3 feet into the breakdown lane when the collision occurred," the lieutenant said. "I don't think a lot of people understand how quickly this can happen. You look down and all of a sudden you are in the breakdown lane."

The teen, whose name was not released by police, will be charged with distracted driving, marked lanes violation, and driving negligently causing serious bodily injuries. He will be summoned to juvenile court.

Both the driver and bicyclist were heading north on Route 15 about 10:50 a.m., about a half mile north of Leadmine Road, when the accident occurred. The bicyclist was thrown into a gravel portion of the road.

Police have seized the 2007 Toyota Corolla and will apply for search warrants to inspect both the car and the teen's cellphone.

Sturbridge police and the Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council Accident Reconstruction team are investigating the crash.